Within the framework of the “Media Bus” project 10 journalists and bloggers from Turkey are currently visiting Armenia. They have been traveling through Turkey and Armenia with 10 Armenian colleagues.
“For me as a professional, it is a life-changing possibility to get to know Armenian colleagues and see Armenia … It is impossible to establish relations between the two countries until the two nations know one another,” said Hüseyin Hayatsever, freelance journalist, today at the Media Center hosted press conference.

Hüseyin Hayatsever considers it important to understand what Armenian journalists think about the Armenian-Turkish relations through unmediated communication, without involving a third party and it became possible due to his participation in the “Media Bus” project.

The press conference was attended by journalists from Armenia and Turkey, as well as by Vazgen Karapetyan (Associate Director at Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF)), Mery Musinyan (Journalist at Public Radio), and Osman Ünalan (Journalist at Today’s Zaman).

Vazgen Karapetyan spoke on the third bus tour organized within the framework of the Programme “Support to the Armenia-Turkey Normalization Process.” The previous two bus tours brought about the formation of a group of 30-40 journalists from Armenia and Turkey who nowadays communicate as professionals and friends. “The third project participants have traveled through Western Turkey and are in Yerevan now. After the first part of the project is over, I do hope, they will keep in touch and wisely use their friendship and relations in their professional activities,” Vazgen Karapetyan said.

Mery Musinyan described the Turkey they saw as a very interesting and amazing country and added that they got off the bus in Armenia with a more precise idea about one another.

“Since we do not have diplomatic relations, we want to know what people think and what opportunities of normalization are granted by such tours,” said Mery Musinyan, adding that she intends to show her followers the established dialogue between the Armenian and Turkish journalists.

“Our followers are eager to read about Armenia especially when the Turkish Prime Minister or President speak about Armenia,” said Osman Ünalan, “Armenia is a more editorial topic and it is usually discussed only when necessary.”

Mery Musinyan said, “I have no idea when politicians will open the borders but I do know that we as true progressive and free speaking individuals will abolish these borders in our minds. We will ruin that wall in our mind.”

If politicians do not take actions to normalize the Armenian-Turkish relations, Hüseyin Hayatsever believes, journalist will be limited regarding their actions. “I don’t want to neither humiliate nor exaggerate the role of journalists. We have much to do and first of all it is the language we write. It must not spread hatred,” said Hüseyin Hayatsever.

Osman Ünalan urged journalists and public sector representatives in Armenia and Turkey to break away from the negative thinking to resolve the issue.

Hüseyin Hayatsever is convinced that our geographic region is full of sorrow and to put an end to the grief and pain it is necessary to have values equal to the grieves.

During the press conference at Media Center on December 11, Eiji Taguchi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E., congratulated the Republic of for signing the comprehensive and enhanced agreement with the European Union on November 24, 2017.

One of the most pressing issues in the Armenian energy system is the non-transparent and illogical formation of the gas price for the consumer. Officially, Russia sells gas to Armenia at $ 150 per 1,000 cubic meters but the final consumer pays almost twice more - $ 290.

From November 25 to December 1, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign is held within the framework of which a press conference was held at Media Center on December 5 dedicated to “No excuse for violence” regional campaign.